The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-01-08
DIVINE WORSHIP.

$3.50. "In process of time,' literally sat
the end of days." which may denote some
period, as the end of the week or Sabbath, or
the close of the season, the harvest, Cain
brought of the fruit of the ground gift to
the LORD, and Abel brought also the latest
of the lambs of his flock. Some form of re-
ligious worship is suggested by the state
ment, and a sanctuary, where the presence
of the LORD might be localized, to whom the
gifts were brought. Those gifts may have
been expressive of gratitude for the bounties
of providence and of a desire for continued
favors from the bountiful Oliver. The bring
ing of these offerings may have been the be-
ginning of the formal, individual and private
worship of COP. Public worship appears to
have been established more than hundred
years later, when, in the days of Enoch, the
son of Seth, "began men to call upon the
name of JEHOVAH (iv. 26). JEHOVAH
looked upon Abel and his gift; and upon
Cain and his gift He did not look" Abel
rendered acceptable worship, while Cain did
not 'By faith Abel offered unto GoD
more excellent sacrifice than Cain" (He-
brews xi. ~. Any form of worship that
truly expresses a worshipful spirit is accepta-
BILE to Cop. He is too holy and just to look
with favor upon hypocrisy. The form and
manner, the quality of our religious rites may
indicate their spiritual worth. While it is
said that Cain brought merely "of the fruit
of the ground gift to JEHOVAH" Abel
drought of the frstlings of his flock, and
indeed of their fat" that is, the latest and
best The inference is plain that Abel de-
voted the best of his products to the service
of COP, while Cain offered an inferior quail
ity. Abel possessed truly worshipful spirit
and was generous in his gifts. Cain was ap
parently destitute of the spirit of worship,
and was selfish and worldly minded. The
best gifts of heart and mind and hand
are none too good for the LoRD's service;
less than the best we possess, both in quality
and measure, is unworthy a devout and
thankful SOUL Generous giving and doing
for the service and institutions of religion,
are acceptable to COP, are indicative of
truly religious nature, and will greatly bless
the doer and giver. Out of the religious ma
ture springs the noblest ambitions and truest
happinesses of life. Religious institutions,
including forms of worship, are the founda-
tions upon which rests human righteousness
and blessedness, all benehcent, permanent
and progressive human society and govern
ment. In the story of Cain and Abel, and
the sequel, we have suggested the distinction
between the Church and the World. Cain
became dissatisfied with the Improbable re-
suits of his worship. It was insincere and
pretentious, and therefore worthless. He
grew envious and wrathful toward his more
favored brother, whose worship was the true
expression of his pious soul. When it is said
that Cain "went out from the presence of
JERovAH and dwelt in the Land of the Wan
derer CNod)," we cannot avoid the conelu-
sion that the sanctuary of worship is meant.
Then he turned his back upon religion and
refused to worship GoD, and founded gen
Grafton who sought prosperity and happiness
in worldly interests alone, without any rec
ognition of GoD and His worship. On the
other hand, the generations of Seth, who
took the place of Abel, proclaimed the name
of JEHOVAH, aud established themselves upon
the institutions of religion and worship, and
became distinguished as sons of GoD in dis
tinction from the Cainites, who were mere
worldlings and degenerate wi. ~.